Meandering Guide Plate for Intestine Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for separating small intestines and duodenum from a fatty structure during animal slaughtering are inefficient and prone to damaging the intestines due to inaccurate cutting and manual handling, which complicates further processing and reduces the market value of the sausages.

Innovation Solution

A device with a guide having a meandering gap that guides the fatty structure close to the intestine, allowing precise cutting near the intestine without damaging it, featuring a cutting member positioned at a distance from the guide and angled relative to the gap, and optionally connected to a handle or machine for improved control and automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual pulling or knife cutting is used to separate intestines from fatty structure, then separation can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and carries high risk of damaging the intestine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speedVSAvoidintestine integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide plate is introduced as an intermediary tool between the knife and the intestine-fatty structure combination. The guide plate provides a predefined cutting path that ensures the knife cuts at the correct position and angle, separating the intestine from the fatty structure without direct manual manipulation that could cause damage. The guide plate acts as a mediator that controls the cutting process while protecting the intestine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide plate is prepared in advance with a pre-defined cutting path and positioning features. Before the actual cutting occurs, the intestine-fatty structure combination is positioned on the guide plate, which already has the optimal cutting trajectory marked or formed. This preliminary preparation ensures that when cutting occurs, it follows the predetermined safe path that minimizes damage risk while maximizing separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If cutting is performed prior to guiding, then separation can be achieved, but the cut position varies greatly and may extend into the intestine causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcut position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate serves as a mediator that combines both guiding and cutting functions in a integrated system. The guide plate's structure includes a cutting edge or groove that defines the exact cutting path. By making the cut within the confines of the guide plate's structure, the cutting position accuracy is dramatically improved while maintaining separation efficiency. The guide plate mediates between the need for efficient cutting and the need for precise position control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide and cutting functions are merged into a single integrated guide plate structure. Rather than using separate guiding tools and cutting tools, the invention combines them so that the guide plate simultaneously provides the cutting path definition and the actual cutting action. This merging ensures that guiding and cutting occur together at the correct position, eliminating the variability that occurs when these functions are performed separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of substance

If the cut is made close to the intestine, then blood vessel portions are minimized, but the risk of damaging the intestine increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood vessel portions on intestineVSAvoidintestine integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate acts as a protective intermediary between the cutting knife and the intestine. The guide plate's structure includes a recess, groove, or positioned edge that physically separates the knife's cutting path from the intestine by a controlled distance. This intermediary structure allows the cut to be made as close as possible to the intestine (minimizing blood vessel portions) while the guide plate itself prevents the knife from直接接触 the intestine, thus protecting it from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide plate is pre-configured with the optimal cutting distance and angle relative to where the intestine will be positioned. Before cutting occurs, the geometry of the guide plate is already set to provide the precise spacing needed to cut close to the intestine without contacting it. This preliminary configuration of the cutting path ensures that when the cut is made, it achieves the optimal balance between minimizing blood vessel portions and protecting intestine integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2816902B1Device and method for separating a fatty structure connected to an intestine from the intestine by means of cutting
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 TEEUWISSEN OPERATIONS BV
  • EP2816902B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2816902B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2816902B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for separating an intestine (2) subjected to a pulling force from a structure such as a fatty structure (1) connected to the intestine by means of cutting, wherein the device comprises a guide (11) for guiding at least the intestine; and a cutting member (14) connected to the guide for severing the structure in the vicinity of the intestine, and wherein the cutting member is adapted to sever the structure as closely as possible to the intestine. The invention also relates to such a method, comprising of fixing the structure, exerting a pulling force on the intestine, guiding the intestine and severing the structure in the vicinity of the intestine, wherein the combination of the structure and the intestine is guided prior to the cutting.